Exterminatus

Exterminatus is a method commonly used by the Imperium of Man to eliminate threats, or to contain major hertical events. Normally ordered by an Inquisitor, it is considered the final solution, and is only chosen when the chance of being able to hold a planet has been reduced to almost zero. It is not considered a combat weapon, and although it has been used as such, these uses are limited.

Methods

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Exterminatus takes place in a veriety of ways, and no method seems to be more common than another. In a typical example, the Exterminatus begins with a orbital bombardment of a world, taking out anti-ship weapon platforms, as well as any shielding. Following this, a salvo of virus torpedos is lauched, aresolizeing in the atmosphere, and spreading throught the entire planet. in some cases, the virus bombs will be replaced by a mixture of extremely flamible gasses, designed to burn a way a planets atmospher. This can be suplemented by any means of direct fire against a planet. By the tme the procedure has finished, all that remains of the planet is a blasted rock, stripped of its atmosphere, and devoid of all signs of life.